San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-23

her, then, with low moan, threw her
self down and lay motionless till Kotu-
rua entered.
"Come, child; we must go at once, for
we shall be well guarded tonight, and
now is our chance"
"Oh, KOturua, never TO see him day
after dayl How can go-oh, how can
II"
But she sat up and listened while Ko-
turua planned their flight.
THAT is ALL" concluded the old wo-
man; you must saunter away careless
ly and wait for me by the kauri with
the broken branch. Now 60"
In daZed dreamy way Miriama I'M
fastened green stone ornament from
her neck, and, walking over to her own
hut, placed it where it could not fail to
catch TIE Ori's notice as soon as he en-
tered; then, giving one miserable fare
well look around, she turned away in
loneliness and sorrow from the home
that had been hers for ten years.
A week later she was sobbing out
her story in the sympathetic ear of her
brother Hori, whose Indignation at the
slight paid to his sister knew no
bounds.
"Dog!" he muttered between his
teeth. Have you back, will he? Let
him try!"
The next day however Miriama was
seized with brain-fever, and it was
many weeks before she could do more
than lie in her hammock under the
trees and watch the movement of those
around her with her sad wistful eyes.
But Time, the consider, soothes all sor-
rows, however, and after two or three
months she began to find employment
among her brothers people. Were any
sick, she nursed them; were any in
trouble, then none could comfort them
like Miriama, with her sensitive and
sympathetic nature. She taught the
women how to weave finer mats and
neater baskets, how to embroider gay
mantles and turbans; and in short
time the most popular person in the
kdingd, after the chief, was his sister
Miriama. Her suffering had strength
ened and purified her character; she
thought no more of happiness for her
self, but strove to find it for others,
and in so doing earned contentment
for herself.
While she lay ill, message had ar
rived from TIE ORR, demanding her re-
turn at once, and threatening extreme
measures in the event of his request
not being acceded to; but Hori had re-
turned such an answer as must have
satisfied him that it would plunge him
into serious difficulties to perSist-or
perhaps his conscience told him he was
wrong. Whatever the cause, no more
was heard of him.
Eighteen months have passed away,
and the deserted wife was still with
her brother.
AS Miriama was standing one morn
ing with huge white blossom of pam.
pas-grass tot-tOi) in her hand, acting as
starter and umpire to score of
young urchins who were trying their
speed against one another, Hori came
up, and laid his hand upon her should
er: , ,
you are not racing with them. But l
have a piece of news for you"
What is it, HOrip-and she looked
at him with a smile.
His face darkened as he answered.
Il hear TIE ORR has son. wish"
But she placed her hand over his
mouth.
"No bad wishes for him, for my sake,
Hori. May the good spirit keep him
and his little son!"
But she threw down the reed, much
to the children's dismay, and glided
away; and it was many hours after
wards before she appeared amongst
them again.
As TIE ORR had foreseen, she was
sought in marriage several times, but
to all she smiled and shook her head,
saying
NAY, do you forget that Miriama is
already married? Seek wife in one
of our bright young girls; there are
many of them both pretty and good"
One day some months later Miriama,
Koturua, and several girls were stand
ing on the bank of the river near which
Hori's kainga was placed. 1t had been
wild night, raining and blowing fu-
riously; but now the sun was shining
brightly, and the hurricane had sub
sided into a gentle breeze. The river
was much swollen, and was dashing
and eddying along with unwonted vlo-
lence.
Let us go in and have a romp with
the current" suggested one of the girls
another they all, except KOturua,
plunged in.
A few minutes of it they found quite
enough, and they came out laughing,
but breathless and painting.
"Oh, but it was strong, koturua!"
said Miriama, twisting her hair into
thick rope and wringing the water
from it. Il went too far, and could
hardly get back"
yes, saw, and nearly screamed
with fear. Never do such thing
again, child. My heart is humping
yet"
"Ah, well, there's no harm doneI"-
and Miriama smiled at her affection
ately. Il will Harkl What is
thatT
A feeble cry for help fioated to their
ears as she spoke.
Some one in the river-and in dan
gerl All, yes! l sect is a man; there
about half way Overl All, poor fell
low, he is exhausted Fly, girls, for
Horil Lose no timel"-and, flinging
off some of her clothing, she plunged
in and struck out in the direction of
the drowning man.
Koturua stood on the bank wringing
her hands in anguish.
you go to your death, my precious
onel Oh, come backbone back to
me! Miriama, Miriama!"
But Miriama was straining every
nerve to reach the man, and she was
still a few yards from him when he
sank. She dived at once, and succeed
ed in fastening her fingers in his hair
and drawing him to the surface. Then,
throwing herself upon her back, she
drew the unconscious head upon her
breast and began swimming as strong
ly as she could.
Some minutes passed, and she seemed
to be making great progress through
the water. She must be near the bank